CHICAGO, IL: Manager Craig Counsell announced that right-hander Adbert Alzolay of the Cubs will have Tommy John surgery. The Chicago Sun-Times' Maddie Lee broke the story on X. The details of the procedure have not yet been revealed, although it was announced last week that the righty would be undergoing surgery. He may miss all of 2025 in addition to the rest of this season.
Obviously, Alzolay and the Cubs have suffered a terrible blow. After transitioning from a starting position to a full-time relief job last season, the righty appeared to find his calling. Last season, he pitched 64 innings in 58 games for the Cubs, giving up 2.67 earned runs per nine. He kept the ball on the ground 42.2% of the time, walked just 5.1% of the hitters he faced, and struck out 26.5% of them. After securing 22 saves in the previous season, he even got the closer position.
In retrospect, it appears that the right forearm pain that caused him to miss nearly two weeks of work in September 2024 was a portent of things to come. He began this year with eighteen appearances, although his effectiveness was lower. With an ERA of 4.67, he only struck out 17.3% of batters he faced.
On May 13, the Cubs placed him on the injured list, reporting that he had a strain in his right forearm. According to Lee on X, they informed reporters the next day that imaging had verified Alzolay's right flexor injury. With his July start to a rehab assignment, there was still a chance that he would return.
Alzolay's entire 2025 season is now in peril because he is expected to need Tommy John surgery, which is the worst case scenario. It is typical for pitchers to need at least 14 months to recuperate from a major surgery, which implies that he might not be able to play in a game until 2026. In March 2026, he will turn 31 years old, making him 29 years old now.
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